Kuleba: Ukraine submits proposals for countering Russia’s dominance in Black Sea to partners

Ukraine has concrete proposals for thwarting Russia's attempts to turn the Black Sea into its internal lake. Proposals are currently being discussed with the Associated Trio partners and Black Sea NATO members.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba made a relevant statement in a video address following the meeting of leaders of the Associated Trio countries – Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova – in Batumi on July 19.

He noted that Russians followed the same pattern in Transnistria [part of Moldova], Georgia, and Ukraine. Therefore, the three countries should work together to counter Russia's occupation intentions. In this context, the Ukrainian foreign minister drew attention to the importance of the Black Sea security.

"If the Black Sea NATO members, Ukraine and Georgia (a place for Moldova can also be found in this mechanism) will not join forces, Russia will turn the Black Sea into its internal lake, divide it in half and begin to rule in its zone. This topic was discussed very carefully yesterday: what needs to be done to level the security situation in the Black Sea. Ukraine has concrete ideas, concrete proposals on this issue, and we are now discussing them with both Georgians and Moldovans, as well as with NATO member states which are Black Sea countries and friendly to us – Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey," Kuleba said.

As reported, on July 19, the leaders of the Associated Trio countries – Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova – met in Batumi with the participation of European Council President Charles Michel.

As noted in the declaration adopted following the meeting, the accession to the European Union is a goal that unites the three countries. European integration has no alternative to the Associated Trio, and no one will be able to influence that choice.

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